The

Regeneration InitiativeAllotments

Traditionally individuals have cultivatedallotments, with some input from friendsor family. New users have now come onthe scene, from food growing collectivesto therapeutic and educational schemes.These include day centres for specialneeds, refugee projects, college trainingschemes and youth groups.

These users help to bring the benefits ofallotment gardening to a wide selection ofpeople that would not be involvedotherwise. They offer activities and

resources beyond the scope of theconventional allotment. They may also playa role in regenerating sites, especially inareas where uptake of allotments byindividuals is low.

Occasionally the impact of such groupsmay be less than positive: this may happenif the group does not understand howallotments are managed, or is unaware ofthe obligations to the site and other users.

This factsheet provides guidance forgroups taking on allotments.

Fact Sheet

Project Allotment

A guide for groups and agencies working on allotments

Project Allotmentpage 1 of 8

...as participation in allotment

gardening widens, new users have

come on the scene...

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How allotment sites areorganised

There are three types of site:

• A statutory site is protected by lawunder Section 8 of the 1925 AllotmentsAct.

• A temporary site has no legal protectionas it may be annexed for eventualchange of use (e.g. cemetery over-flow).

• A private site is one owned by acharitable trust, an individual, acompany, a church or the plotholders.

Most (but by no means all) allotment sites are owned by a local authority (thedistrict, borough, town or parish council).The point of contact at the authority will be the allotments or parks officer(clerk or technical assistant for smallercouncils).

Many allotment sites (including thoseowned by a local authority) will have anassociation, society, committee or siterepresentative(s). Contact details can beobtained from the local authority, sitenotice board or by asking a plotholder onsite.

Sites may be managed solely by the localauthority, the association or somewhere inbetween.

Definition of an allotment

Section 22 of the 1922 Allotment Actdefines the term ‘allotment garden’ as:

“An allotment not exceeding forty poles inextent which is wholly or mainly

cultivated by the occupier for theproduction of vegetable or fruit crops forconsumption by himself or his family.” (40 poles is 1012 square metres).

This definition is still relevant todaybecause carrying out any activities on astatutory allotment site that are notcovered by this definition could threatenthe site’s legal protection.

Some leeway is permitted. The terms inthe definition are usually interpreted asfollows:

• The occupier refers to an individual, soif several people cultivate a plot onlyone is legally the tenant.

• ‘Wholly or mainly’ means that as longas the plot is used mainly for growingfruit or vegetables, a section can beused as a garden, for non-food crops, ora wildlife area.

• ‘Wholly or mainly’ also means that surplusproduce can be given away or sold.

• ‘Vegetable and fruit crops’ couldinclude fruit bushes, fruit trees orperennial vegetables.

Project Allotment page 2 of 8

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The tenancy agreement

Activities that can be carried out on anallotment may also be restricted by thetenancy agreement, the ‘contract’ set upbetween the plot tenant and allotmentauthority. Tenancy agreements are writtenby the local authority or, if the site is self-managed, the committee, and vary fromsite to site. Plotholders can be evicted ifthey breach the tenancy agreement.

Many tenancy agreements do not permit:

• the planting of trees or perennials

• the building of ponds or sheds

• the sale of produce

• livestock.

Tenancy agreements can be problematicfor groups because legally they can onlybe made out to individuals. Therefore agroup’s tenancy agreement will usually bemade out to the project leader, or othernamed individual, who will be legallyresponsible for members of the group andvisitors.

Becoming accepted by theother plotholders

Some plotholders feel very anxious aboutgroups taking on plots. They may dreadthe thought of strangers disturbing theirpeace or may have had to pick up thepieces from a previous project thatdisappeared when the funding ran out.Most groups say that initial prejudicesmelt away once the project is set up andrunning smoothly. Once you are accepted,the accumulated wisdom of otherplotholders will often prove invaluable.

Some common initial problems and theirpossible solutions are described below.

Plotholders are offended that no-one

has told them what is happening

When you see plotholders on the site, talkto them and tell them about your project:time spent at this stage will be more thanre-paid in the long term. Talking to asmany people as possible gives you an ideaof whether any initial resistance iswidespread or down to certain individualson the site. If the tenancy agreement

permits it, post up contact details of theproject on the plot.

Plotholders seem ‘anti groups’

Projects that evolve slowly are acceptedmore easily. Do not take on more plots thanyou can realistically cope with or you willrapidly lose credibility. One plot can be aconsiderable commitment for even severalpeople, and you can always rent more plotsonce you have got the first one established.

Some people may feel resentful if theysee lots of new tools and equipmentarriving, especially if they have spent yearsfighting for a new fence or standpipes.Acquire these slowly, as you develop anidea of what is most needed by yourgroup. This approach will also attract lesstheft or vandalism.

Carry out any building works graduallywhere possible, as the noise, pollution anddisruption that these create can also turnother plotholders against you.

Plotholders cannot tell if strangers

on site are intruders or members of

your group

Do not allow the site key to be copiedamongst the group. There should be anominated keyholder(s), who is known bythe site rep and other plotholders. Othermembers of the group or visitors to theproject should be accompanied by anominated keyholder.

Encourage all members of your group tobecome members of the allotmentassociation by name, either as fullplotholders or associate members.

Project Allotment page 3 of 8

A wildlife pond has many attractions – forpeople and wildlife

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Gardening expertise

Detailed gardening advice is outside thescope of this factsheet but gardeningexpertise is obviously an important part ofyour project! Here are a few tips andresources to help you find the informationyou will need.

• Persistent perennial weeds are oftenmore of a problem on an allotment than in the average garden. A goodstrategy is to cover the majority of theplot with a weed suppressing mulchand peel this back as you are ready tocultivate each section. See ARIfactsheet Restore the plot for moreinformation.

• Membership of Garden Organicincludes a range of gardeningfactsheets, a ‘Starting an allotment’leaflet, visits to demonstration organicgardens and talks on allotments.

• A subscription to monthly magazineKitchen Garden, which provides month-by-month food growing advice relevantto allotments.

• Build up a library of gardening books,such as ‘The New Vegetable and HerbExpert’, ‘Successful Allotments’ and‘The Organic Bible’ (see Resources).

• Attend a gardening course at your localcollege or arrange gardening trainingcourses on your allotment.

Putting allotments tocomplementary uses

Allotments have been put to a range ofcomplementary uses not covered by thelegal definition of a statutory allotment.These include public gardens, orchards,vineyards, composting schemes, naturereserves, Christmas/native tree nurseries,animal grazing, coppiced hazel/willow andvegetable box schemes.

Any site selected for such a project shouldhave a genuine surplus of land; in otherwords, one that can accommodate theproject whilst retaining sufficient plots forcurrent and future plotholders.

Consult existing plotholders and otherstakeholders on your ideas. Ideally the

project will increase uptake of theremaining plots by making the site as awhole more appealing.

Do not be too ambitious with your projectplans to start with: it is easy to let yourenthusiasm run away with you. Take youroriginal project proposal and be ruthless:halve the workload and put back thedeadlines. Talk to other projects anddiscover how many unforeseen setbacksyou are bound to encounter.

Even on a successful site there is oftenscope for diversification that enhances thesite, e.g. turning a few vacant plots over toa children’s play area, a picnic area orparking spaces for disabled plot holders.

Legal procedures for complementary

uses

Use the following procedure for anycomplementary uses of statutoryallotment sites, otherwise the landcould lose its legal protection.

Section 27(5) of the 1908 Allotments Actprovides for the temporary use ofallotment land for other purposes, if itcannot be let as allotments.

If the land is subsequently required for useas allotments the authority can gainpossession by giving at least 12 months’notice. The land must be in tenantablecondition for allotment gardens at the timeof repossession.

This legislation could also be used toaccommodate group use covered by astandard tenancy agreement.

A lease agreement is set up between themanagement authority and the new user.This should include:

• rent payable

• a breakdown of land managementduties and who will do them

• the length of lease, which may be long-term (even up to twenty years) butoften with a seven-year review.

Food growing co-operatives may becovered by Section 27(6) of the 1908 Actas it states: “the council having the powerof letting one or more allotments topersons working on a co-operativesystem”. Contact NSALG (see Resources).

Project Allotment page 4 of 8

Making applejuice at

HorfieldOrganic

CommunityOrchard

The managing authority may only lease (orsell) statutory allotment land for apermanent change of use after consentfrom the Secretary of State, under Section8 of the 1925 Act. Consent will not berequired for any subsequent change of use(including development).

Comfort of the group andother issues

✓ Will you need a toilet? If there isn’t oneon or near the site, get permission to hirea chemical toilet or build a compost toilet.Consult ARI factsheet Installing anaffordable toilet.

✓ Will you need to provide transport foryour group? Is there adequate parking andaccess to the plot at the site?

✓ Have you allowed for meal times andprovided drink facilities?

✓ If there is nowhere to shelter in badweather or store your tools, getpermission to erect a shed, polytunnel orshipping container.

✓ Make sure the participants come to theallotment in suitable outdoor gear. It maybe necessary to provide wellies,

waterproofs and even ‘charity shop’jumpers/coats in case of sudden weatherchanges.

✓ If the group only visits the plot everyfew days, you will need to think who willcome and water the plot in dry spells anddo security checks.

✓ How will you attract new people to thegroup if people drop out?

For more ideas please see Tips fromprojects on the following pages.

What if the project fallsapart?

If you have adequate insurance and havefollowed the guidance in this factsheet,you should not run into any seriousdifficulties. However, even the most wellrun project may eventually end.

Finish up properly, for the benefit of otherplotholders and reputation of futureallotment projects. Terminate your tenancyand return all the keys. Remove allmaterials or plants that you introduced tothe plot(s), unless the managing authorityand association are happy for them toremain.

Make sure you've thought about howyou'll enjoy that well-earned cup of tea

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Suitable outdoor gear is a must

Project Allotment page 5 of 8

Tips from projectsIf you wish to get in touch with any ofthese projects, please contact ARI.

Plot design and equipment

Rotherham Primary Care Trust

• Bought a cheap metal shed forstorage but it was too flimsy. Secureda grant and planning permission for asecond-hand shipping container – verysecure.

• Two polytunnels - good for workingundercover in bad weather and forgrowing a wider range of plants. Tables for seed planting work. Dorequire more volunteers for extrawatering involved. Ventilation was notadequate for tomatoes (fungus) so have now purchased a greenhouse too.

• Compost bins were donated and alocal contractor brings leaves andgreen waste.

Garden of Easton, Bristol

• No seed propagation area so createda hot bed instead. For information onhot bed construction visit:www.holon.se/garden/howto/hotbed_en.shtml

• Built a ‘wattle and daub’ all-weathershelter with help from the localschool. The shelter is also usedfor green woodworking workshopswhen there is no gardening work.

• Built a compost toilet for £50 using allreclaimed materials and voluntarylabour.

• No water on site and too expensive toinstall. Set up a rainwater collectionsystem using recycled plastic buttsand run-off from neighbouring garageroof.

Groundwork East Durham

• Polytunnels got badly wind-damaged,not as hardy as expected and difficultto fix. Not suitable for sites exposedto a north east wind.

• When they got a greenhouse thisattracted lots of new volunteers, asthey now had a warm, indoor spaceto work.

• Rotavators and strimmers were awaste of money. Noisy and heavy, notso suitable for projects for elderlywomen, children or less mobilepeople.

• Raised beds did not attract wheelchairusers but are popular with the schoolgroups – sense of ownership, easierto work, manageable size so lessdaunting.

• Included a campfire area for teadrinking in the design which hasproved very popular.

BTCV Northamptonshire

• Range of attractive raised beds ofdifferent heights, makes themsuitable for a range of users.

Lancashire Wildlife Trust

• Don’t buy too many tools to startwith, as you won’t know what youneed until you start. Buy basic toolsfirst then build up stocks as theybecome necessary.

Keeping it going

Teeside Homeless Action

• Watering has been a big problem insummer. By working hard to attractand encourage volunteers they havenow solved the problem.

• Found that providing a wide range ofactivities maintained volunteer

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interest. Providing both a garden andfood growing areas meant that peoplecould learn about flower beds andamenity gardening as well asvegetable growing, fruit andcomposting.

• Provide training in horticultural skillsand crafts e.g. hurdle fencing.

Rotherham Primary Care Trust

• Had some ‘fair weather gardeners’,who disappeared in winter.

• Found social events brought in newpeople – barbecue, fun day, parkrangers running workshops in bat andbird box-building, bouncy castle, seedplanting, apple day events.

• Looking at the possibility of setting upaccredited training courses on site.

BTCV Northamptonshire

• Involve a number of school groupsbut it has been difficult to get thechildren to come outside of theschool sessions. Turnover of teachersis a problem, some are keen aboutbringing children, others are toonervous.

• Some volunteers come as part of thework experience they are doing withthe local park.

• Have found the other plotholders veryvaluable – good information exchange.

Garden of Easton, Bristol

• Have used site for workshops inpractical skills such as building a hotbed or pond. Participants learn newskills and want to come back to seehow their handiwork develops.

• At first they involved lots of differentgroups which proved to be highmaintenance as it was too difficult tomeet the demands of all the groups,so they just concentrate on a fewgroups now.

• Giving volunteers responsibility anddecision-making powers leads toownership and responsibility, whichleads to commitment.

Groundwork East Durham

• Trying to cover the summer wateringwas difficult, causing divisionsbetween different groups in theproject, which put people off. If youdo not have enough people forsummer watering, opt for less ‘thirsty’summer crops.

• Offered health-led incentives toparticipants, e.g. free pass to leisurecentres, day trips to botanic gardens.

Lancashire Wildlife Trust

• Don’t get flustered if projects go upand down – communities change andpeople change, accept change anddon’t try and force it.

• Has to be welcoming so that newpeople come in. Don’t ask bigcommitments from people: have afixed day of the week when peoplecan drop in and help for a couple ofhours if they wish.

• Run the project like an outdoorcommunity centre – lots of tea andbiscuits – the social element isimportant.

• Aim to cater for all skills and talents,providing tasks for both experts andnovices.

• A core of 8 – 10 dedicated people isenough, you don’t need a big group.Expand to 20 and the group dynamicsget too complicated. Smaller groupstake more responsibility and knowwho’s doing what.

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Resources

Allotments Regeneration Initiative

(ARI)

Supports and develops allotmentsregeneration and the creation of brandnew allotment sites in the UK.

www.farmgarden.org.uk/ariari@farmgarden.org.ukTel. (0117) 963 1551

Federation of City Farms and

Community Gardens (FCFCG)

Supports, represents and promotescommunity-managed farms andgardens across the UK.

www.farmgarden.org.ukadmin@farmgarden.org.ukTel. (0117) 923 1800

National Society of Allotment and

Leisure Gardeners (NSALG)

The national representative body forthe allotment movement in the UK.

www.nsalg.org.uknatsoc@nsalg.org.ukTel. (01536) 266 576

Garden Organic (formerly HDRA)Organic gardening. Network of localgroups. Publications and advice.

Tel. (0247) 630 3517enquiry@gardenorganic.org.ukwww.gardenorganic.org.uk

Community Composting Network

(CCN)

Starter pack for communitycomposting schemes. Tel: (0114) 258 0483ccn@gn.apc.orgwww.othas.org.uk/ccn

Thrive

Network of therapeutic gardeningprojects, many on allotments.Publications include building raisedbeds and designing gardens forspecial needs.

Tel: (0118) 988 5688info@thrive.org.ukwww.thrive.org.uk

British Trust for Conservation

Volunteers (BTCV)

Publications on various topicsincluding tree planting and hedging,risk assessments and tool care.

Tel: (0149) 182 1600information@btcv.org.ukwww.btcv.org

Useful publications

Kitchen Garden magazine

www.kitchengarden.co.uk

The New Vegetable and Herb Expert

- good vegetable growing book forbeginners.ISBN: 0-903-50546-0

Green Essentials Organic Guides -

'Sucessful allotments' - a little fullcolour booklet on starting anallotment. Price £3.www.impactpublishing.co.uk

The Organic Bible

by Bob FlowerdewISBN: 1-856-26595-1

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Our vision is toincrease allotment

uptake by individualsand groups

Contact ARI at:

The GreenHouseHereford StreetBristol BS3 4NA

Tel: 0117 963 1551Fax: 0117 923 1900

ari@farmgarden.org.ukwww.farmgarden.org.uk/ari

This factsheet is also

availablein

large

print,braille

or onaudio

tape

from theARI

office

Please feel free to

photocopy andcirculate ARIpublications

A group of Sikh women growingvegetables for their temple which isadjacent to their plot at Ladypitt Laneallotments in Leeds

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Project Allotment page 9 of 8

Our vision is toincrease allotment

uptake by individualsand groups

Contact ARI at:

The GreenHouseHereford StreetBristol BS3 4NA

Tel: 0117 963 1551Fax: 0117 923 1900

ari@farmgarden.org.ukwww.farmgarden.org.uk/ari

This factsheet is also

availablein

large

print,braille

or onaudio

tape

from theARI

office

Please feel free to

photocopy andcirculate ARIpublications